As Santa Clarita experiences a spike in local catalytic converter thefts, KHTS stopped by Reeves Complete Auto Repair to learn how residents can protect themselves from theft.

Catalytic converters are part of a car’s exhaust system, and shaped like a round canister that connects exhaust piping from the engine to the tailpipe. The converter works to help the vehicle transform harmful exhaust gasses into safer substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour. 

“Thieves know they’ve got precious metals inside. There’s iridium, palladium, and platinum, and that’s worth a lot of money to different scrap yards and core buyers,” said Dave Reeves, Owner of Reeves Complete Auto Repair in Santa Clarita. “It’s a very unfortunate, common problem now that costs a consumer a lot of money if it has to get replaced.”

There are some steps to prevent this theft from happening to those in our community. Some mechanics install chains and/or metal plates that are welded to the bottom of your vehicle to protect the converter. 

See Related: Four Arrested After Attempted Catalytic Converter Theft In Santa Clarita

Certain vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, actually have plate kits available for purchase online that are then bolted over the converter. This is meant to deter thieves as they do not have enough time to remove both the covering and the converter itself. 

Other preventative measures include parking directly under or near streetlights to keep your vehicle visible, as well as engraving your license plate number on the converter in the instance of it being stolen then recovered by law enforcement.

Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ask residents to be aware and report any “suspicious activity,” such as individuals loitering around or looking under parked cars, to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.

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